SHARON JASPER

Videos

A great-grandmother fights to save the community that raised her

Sharon was always a pillar of her community. For years, she spoke out against police brutality in public housing, and advocated for better conditions for tenants. When, like thousands of others, she was evacuated and evicted from public housing, she became a visible spokesperson for former residents of public housing who wanted to to prevent the demolition of the buildings they grew up in and where they raised their children.

Sharon continues to speak out against the Housing Authority and private developers who she feels are creating an unfair environment that prevents former residents of public housing from returning to the new communities that have been built.

Where is she now?

In the spring of 2010, Sharon participated in a non-violent sit-in protest at the leasing office of the new development, “Columbia Parc”. One week later, an NOPDSWAT team arrested her outside of her home, on charges that she allegedly injured an employee during the sit-in. Based on these charges, the Housing Authority stated that they would terminate her voucher as of August 31st, 2010. Sharon is currently appealing this, and additional information and videos can be found here.

Update: The Housing Authority decided against terminating her housing voucher but she was found guilty of the criminal charges, however with no consequence.